How many eggs can a bedbug lay? - briefly
A female Cimex lectularius typically deposits 1–5 eggs daily, reaching a total of up to 200 eggs during her lifespan. Egg production peaks in warm, humid conditions.
How many eggs can a bedbug lay? - in detail
Bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) reproduce by laying eggs that are deposited in tiny, paper‑like packets called oothecae. A single female typically deposits 1–5 eggs per packet, and she can produce several packets during one reproductive cycle. The total number of eggs laid by one adult over its lifespan ranges from 200 to 500, depending on environmental conditions and access to blood meals.
Key factors influencing egg output:
- Blood‑feeding frequency: Each successful blood meal stimulates oviposition; more frequent meals increase total egg count.
- Temperature: Optimal development occurs between 24 °C and 30 °C; temperatures outside this range slow egg production and may reduce total fecundity.
- Age of the female: Egg laying peaks after the first few weeks of adulthood and declines as the insect ages.
Egg development time is temperature‑dependent. At 26 °C, incubation lasts about 6–10 days; higher temperatures shorten this period, while cooler conditions extend it. Once hatched, nymphs require a blood meal before molting to the next stage, and the cycle repeats.
In summary, a mature female bedbug can lay several hundred eggs throughout her life, with each batch containing a handful of eggs and the exact total shaped by feeding opportunities, ambient temperature, and the insect’s age.